influence

UK: /ˈɪnfluəns/ US: /ˈɪnfluəns/ ,(in′flo̅o̅ əns)

Inflections of 'influence' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

influences

v 3rd person singular

influencing

v pres p

influenced

v past

influenced

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•flu•ence /ˈɪnfluəns/   n., v., -enced, -enc•ing. 
n. 

1. the power to produce effects by indirect means:
   [uncountable] the influence of religion in politics.
2. a person or thing that exerts influence:
   [countable] Is he a good influence on her behavior?
3. the power to persuade, or to obtain advantages due to one's status, rank, etc.:
   [uncountable] Thanks to his uncle's influence he was able to get a job.

v. [~ + object]

4. to cause an effect on (someone);
   affect:
   The job market influenced his decision to relocate.
5. to persuade;
   to move (someone) to some action:
   Don't let me influence you; you make your own decision.
   [~ + object + to + verb]
   My father influenced me to accept the job.

Idioms

6. Law, Idioms under the influence, less than drunk but feeling the effects of alcohol or drugs:
   arrested for driving while under the influence.

See -flu-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•flu•ence  (in′flo̅o̅ əns), n., v., -enced, -enc•ing. 
n. 

1. the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others:
   He used family influence to get the contract.
2. the action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of another or others:
   Her mother's influence made her stay.
3. a person or thing that exerts influence:
   He is an influence for the good.
4. Astrology
   • the radiation of an ethereal fluid from the stars, regarded as affecting human actions and destinies.
   • the exercise of occult power by the stars, or such power as exercised.
5. the exercise of similar power by human beings.
6. [Obs.] influx.
7. Lawmaking under the influence, less than drunk but with one's nervous system impaired:
   He was driving while under the influence.
   Also, under the influence of intoxicating liquor. 

v.t. 

8. to exercise influence on;
   affect;
   sway:
   to influence a person.
9. to move or impel (a person) to some action:
   Outside factors influenced her to resign.

• Medieval Latin influentia stellar emanation, equivalent. to Latin influent- (see influent) + -ia -y³; see -ence
• Middle English 1325–75

in′flu•ence•a•ble, adj. 
in′flu•enc•er, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. sway, rule. See authority. 
• 8. impress, bias, direct, control.
• 9. incite, rouse, arouse, instigate, induce, persuade.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

influence / ˈɪnflʊəns/ noun

1. an effect of one person or thing on another
2. the power of a person or thing to have such an effect
3. power or sway resulting from ability, wealth, position, etc
4. a person or thing having influence
5. an ethereal fluid or occult power regarded as emanating from the stars and affecting a person's actions, future, etc
6. under the influence ⇒ drunk

verb (transitive)

1. to persuade or induce
2. to have an effect upon (actions, events, etc); affect

Etymology: 14th Century: from Medieval Latin influentia emanation of power from the stars, from Latin influere to flow into, from fluere to flow

ˈinfluenceable adjective